Our family "Salmon Loaf" recipe is one I've posted a handful times since 2007 or 2008. It's one I usually made when we had leftover grilled salmon from the night before. It used up the salmon in a completely different way so it didn't feel like we eating leftovers and it's so delicious.
Last night I was thinking about making a salmon loaf with some of the canned salmon I had in the pantry but it was just me at home for dinner last night and I decided to make salmon cakes instead. Like crab cakes - but with salmon. They are quick and easy and I could pan fry them and be done with it.
I don't use a recipe for salmon cakes - I just throw things together in a bowl, form a patty and pan fry it. So I decided to put our salmon loaf recipe here; and then I'll note at the bottom how I made last night's salmon cakes as shown in the picture above.
Salmon Loaf
1/4 c fresh chopped onion
1 t dried dill weed
1 T butter
1 slightly beaten egg
1/4 - 1/3 c milk or cream
1 c soft bread crumbs
Leftover salmon to equal about 1 1/2 - 2 cups or about 15 oz.
*can use a can of salmon but the flavor won't be as good as using leftover seasoned, grilled salmon
In a microwaveable bowl place the onion, dill and pepper with the pat of butter. Microwave about 2-3 minutes until the onion is tender. Combine the egg, bread crumbs, milk and onion mixture. Add the salmon, breaking it apart as you add it. Mix with your hands for best blending. Shape into a loaf and place in a bread loaf pan (6X3") that has been greased or sprayed with Pam. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Broil for a few minutes to crisp up the top if you prefer a slight crust on your salmon loaf.
Top with a white sauce to which you've added a peas and/or some cheese.
Simple White Sauce
2 T butter
1 T flour
1/2 t salt
1/8 t white pepper
1/8 t paprika
3/4 c milk
1 T lemon juice
1/2 c frozen pea's - thawed
Microwave the butter until melted; add the flour and seasonings, then the milk and lemon juice. Microwave 4-5 minutes, stirring after each minute. Add 1/2 cup peas. Stir and serve over salmon.
**Notes**
So last night, just being me home for dinner, I wasn't going to make a big meal, I wasn't going to wait for a salmon loaf to bake, and since we are not currently eating wheat, that means no flour, bread crumbs, cracker crumbs, etc.
For the Salmon Cakes I used;
1 can salmon
diced celery
diced onion
butter
1 egg
lemon
pepper
salt
Saute' the onion and celery in the butter until soft. Add it to a mixing bowl with the salmon and an egg. Mix it up and add seasonings to taste. Pan fry in butter/olive oil until golden brown on both sides and done in the middle.
